Key facts about Trondheim

Trondheim was founded by the Viking king Olav Tryggvason in 997 and was the capital of Norway for 200 years. The city became an archbishop's see in 1152, and in the same year, the country's first school, the Cathedral School, was founded. The city quickly developed into a leading centre of trade for the surrounding region, a role which it still maintains today.

Norway's capital of technology

Trondheim is often referred to as Norway's capital of technology. This is largely due to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the research foundation SINTEF being located here. NTNU has a national responsibility for education and research within the field of technology, and as a result of these scientific communities, Trondheim is today a city of innovation and development.

Some 80 per cent of Norway's civil engineers are trained here, and today many former NTNU students are entrepreneurs or have important positions in business and industry. The level of Norwegian technological expertise is on a par with the highest international standards. Areas of expertise include energy and the environment, medicine, marine and maritime research and development, and the field of information and communications technology.

The Trondheim Rose

The symbol of the rose (Trondhjemsrosen) in its various configurations has been used as the emblem of Trondheim since the Middle Ages. In the 1700s, the five-petalled rose was adopted as the city's symbol, and it still adorns its flag today.

Nidaros – Trondhjem – Trondheim

The city has changed names a number of times. The oldest known name was Nidaros, which means "town at the mouth of the river Nid". In the late Middle Ages the name Trondheim came into use, "the home of the Trønder people." Under Danish rule (1450-1814), the name was spelled "Trondhjem," but colloquially it was simply called the City or Town (Byen or Staden).

In 1930/31 there was much contention regarding the city's name: should it be called Nidaros or Trondhjem? After a lengthy debate, a compromise was reached; the city would be called Trondheim.

Trondheim is now the official name of the city, but many of its inhabitants still say "Trondhjem" when talking about it, and when referring to themselves, the great majority says they are "trondhjemmere."

Visitnorway.com is using cookies to ensure the best service and use of this web site. The cookies will be mainly used for web traffic measurement and optimization of services. Read more about the use of cookies.